Octopus Real Estate, part of Octopus Investments, has agreed a forward funding deal for the development of a new care home in Hipperholme, Halifax. The £14.5m purchase will provide 72 much-needed beds to an area with a significant undersupply. The new care home is designed to meet the highest standards of modern care facilities. It will be an all-electric home powered by air source heat pumps and will include solar panels, targeting BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC ‘A’ ratings. The forward funding is being provided to Burghley Care, the joint venture partnership between care home operator Park Lane Healthcare, and specialist developer Torsion Care. The new care home is expected to reach practical completion in August 2026. Max Weitzmann, investment director – care homes, Octopus Real Estate, said: “This new care home will not only provide much-needed beds in Hipperholme, but will also set a national benchmark for sustainable and high-quality care facilities; of key importance to Octopus as we are committed to delivering 100% net zero care homes by 2040. “The agreement marks the continuation of our relationship with well-positioned developer Torsion Care, whilst providing an excellent opportunity to bring Park Lane Healthcare into the Fund, along with Burghley’s strong pipeline of sites across the region.” Chris Lane, chairman, Park Lane Healthcare, said: “This project marks an exciting milestone for Park Lane Healthcare as part of our joint venture with Torsion Care. Through Burghley Care, we’re combining decades of operational expertise with innovative development capability to deliver a new standard of care. “The purpose-built home in Hipperholme is just the beginning of what we believe will be a transformational pipeline across the region, offering the highest quality care and addressing increasing demand for residential support.” Ian Ward, managing director, Torsion Care, said: “We are proud to announce this forward funding deal with our funding partner Octopus Real Estate and the formation of a new joint venture partnership with Park Lane Healthcare under the Burghley Care brand. “This joint venture marks an exciting new chapter for our business, as we work towards delivering high-quality, purpose-built care environments that meet the evolving needs of our ageing population. “The support and confidence shown by Octopus Real Estate reflects our shared commitment to long-term, sustainable care solutions. Together with Park Lane Healthcare, we look forward to creating homes where residents feel safe, valued, and truly at home.”

Casper River and Canal Transport (Casper River), the Humber inland waterway freight transportation company, has unveiled the UK’s most inland shipping port in Leeds. The 1.5-acre site located in Stourton Wharf, owned and managed by commercial and industrial property specialist Towngate PLC, will see more than 5,893 heavy goods vehicles removed from UK roads for each water-based vessel in operation – easing congestion, reducing the likelihood of road-based accidents, minimising traditional port costs, and eliminating approximately 1,434 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions per barge. The news comes eight months after Casper River was first incorporated as a subsidiary of Casper Chartering, providing an in-house logistical solution to keep freight on water for longer throughout Europe. While the company already has dedicated mooring facilities in Rotherham and Burton Upon Stather, Stourton Wharf marks its first self-operated inland waterway, streamlining commercial freight transportation capabilities for its customers. Situated on the Aire and Calder navigation between Castleford and Leeds, the port is designed to handle a variety of bulk cargoes – including steel, aggregates, cement, grain, and scrap – from sea to canal to end user. The opening of the site follows an extensive three-month renovation, completed with the support of landlord Towngate PLC. Along the 45-metre-long wharf, Casper River has cleared overgrowth, levelled the ground with aggregate to access moored vessels, demolished fifty metres of a ten-foot-tall brick wall, relocated site gates, and commissioned informative signs. “Waterborne freight transport is a significantly more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable option, but the misuse of our nation’s waterways means it’s not used as much as it should be,” said Sean Taylor, vessel operator at Casper River. “This is why we’re on a mission to revive the UK’s inland waterways and freight barges, and we’re already witnessing growth with partners who are just as committed to remedying the challenge as we are. “Each vessel will save the equivalent of the average annual carbon footprint of 174 homes. And if initial trials go well with our first cargo barge – an ex-Humber Princess oil tanker called the MV Off-Roader – we’re hoping to discharge four barges each week at Stourton Wharf.” Casper River is already considering additional developments to the site. Soon, the company plans to use on-shore energy to power its vessels when they moor alongside the wharf. In addition to decreasing noise pollution for neighbouring homes and businesses, this will reduce the carbon emissions of its operations even further. Jake Wilde, facilities manager at Towngate PLC, said: “Casper had been working with the Canal and River Trust to source the right location for the scheme. But with so many of the UK’s wharves in decline and lacking the right mooring facilities for commercial barging, it was a difficult feat – until they were eventually pointed in our direction. “With three private wharves running along our Stourton Wharf facility, it proved the perfect location, conveniently situated just a five-minute drive from the M1 motorway and the heart of Leeds City Centre. We’re pleased to have supported Casper River with the sizeable renovation, and look forward to facilitating the business’ ongoing expansion from our site.” Keen to meet expected capacity requirements, Casper River is already in discussions with partners regarding additional fleet tonnage, supporting the growth of inland commercial barging throughout the Humber.